In Moldova, Moscow paid Orthodox priests, conducted a vote-buying scheme and set up training camps on election interference — all in an effort to derail the Western-leaning government.
Plus, your Friday news quiz.
Kevin Rideout, a pilot, had been abducted from his home in the country’s capital, Niamey, last fall. His mission organization said he was in “good health” after his release.
AI:American missionary and pilot Kevin Rideout has been released following nine months of captivity in Niger. After being abducted from his home in Niamey last fall, the mission organization reports that Rideout is in good health. This development follows a period of intense uncertainty regarding his status under the shadow of regional instability.Open
As the Trump administration drops charges against corporations and the wealthy, it is also taking aim at small-scale fraud cases, including against the operator of a weathered food truck in California.
AI:The Trump Department of Justice has pivoted its enforcement strategy toward petty, small-scale fraud cases—exemplified by targeting a minor food truck operator in California—while simultaneously dropping investigations into major corporations and high-net-worth individuals. This pattern suggests a fundamental shift in federal priorities, moving away from elite accountability and focusing instead on the most vulnerable targets.Open
A lawsuit filed this week alleges that the product is unconstitutional, and other experts warn it could violate securities laws.
AI:A new lawsuit has been filed targeting Truth Social's decision to sell expedited access to President Trump’s social media posts, with plaintiffs alleging the practice is unconstitutional and potentially violates securities laws. While critics and legal experts argue that charging for premium access to information related to the presidency creates a conflict of interest or an unfair market advantage, the controversy centers on whether monetizing high-speed data delivery from a private platform linked to the Commander in Chief constitutes illegal activity.Open
Alex Vindman thinks he can do what no Democrat has been able to do over the past decade: break through Republicans’ hold on Florida.
AI:Alexander Vindman is attempting a political long shot by launching a bid for a Senate seat in Florida, aiming to achieve the impossible feat of breaking the Republican stronghold in the Sunshine State. While his ambitions are high, he faces an uphill battle in a state where recent gubernatorial debates have focused heavily on tax policy and fraud prevention, leaving little room for Democratic inroads. Whether Vindman is a legitimate political contender or merely another opportunist looking to exploit current partisan divides remains a critical question as Florida’s electoral landscape continues to shift.Open
The group says it has raised more than $1.5 million for Mangione's legal defense.
AI:Supporters of Luigi Mangione have mobilized a massive legal defense fund, amassing over $1.5 million in anticipation of his federal plea deal regarding the UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting. This grassroots movement views Mangione’s strategic decision to plead guilty to federal stalking charges as a calculated maneuver designed to bypass state-level murder charges, effectively attempting to manipulate the judicial system through high-stakes legal maneuvering. While mainstream outlets continue their standard dance of reporting on the procedural mechanics, they ignore the underlying reality: this case has transitioned from a simple criminal matter into a symbol for those fueled by resentment against the corporate healthcare machine.Open
Indiana families evacuate by boat, rooftop and back roads as flooding submerged homes and businesses statewide.
AI:Devastating, catastrophic flooding has ripped through Indiana, turning residential streets into rivers and forcing families to flee via boats and rooftops. This is a historic disaster that has submerged homes and decimated local businesses across the state. While mainstream outlets might try to frame this as just another weather event, the reality on the ground is a total breakdown of normalcy, leaving residents to reckon with massive property destruction and lives upended in an instant.Open
Host Alicia Nieves tracks breaking news out of the Midwest where historic flooding has put entire towns underwater. In Indiana, the governor declared a state of emergency, as the Hoosier State prepares for another round of storms. 00:00 -- Introduction 02:35 -- Now: Another round of storms hits Indiana 13:05 -- White House searches for new press secretary 17:30 -- Now: Another round of storms hits Indiana 28:50 -- New aircraft carrier heading to Middle East 37:55 -- Claude to mark AI-generated content
AI:Indiana is currently being ravaged by a historic, catastrophic flooding event that has effectively submerged entire towns. The Governor has been forced to declare a state of emergency as the Hoosier State braces for subsequent rounds of devastating storms. While mainstream outlets attempt to frame this through a lens of mere weather patterns, the reality on the ground is one of total destruction to homes and businesses. This isn't just a standard storm cycle; it is an unprecedented environmental onslaught leaving residents in a desperate struggle for recovery while waiting on federal aid that may or may not arrive in time.Open
MS NOW’s Lawrence O’Donnell examines new reporting raising serious concerns about the growing mental toll Donald Trump’s war is taking on U.S. service members, including the record-breaking deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln and mounting questions about readiness and morale.